CAPSC Blog

Time is running out to apply for fuel assistance this season.

Published on April 20, 2023 | Ways to Save

With the warming weather, you might be thinking you don’t need fuel assistance because you won’t need to run your heat much longer. But, wouldn’t it be great if you could top off your tank now, and start next winter with a full tank? You could also use a portion to pay for a furnace cleaning, which helps your furnace run more efficiently.

May 1 is the deadline to finish applying for fuel assistance for this season. While time is running out, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County’s staff are here to help.

What is fuel assistance?

Our Fuel Assistance Program can pay for deliverable fuels (oil, kerosene, propane, wood, etc.), as well as metered utilities such as natural gas and electric heat. If your heat is included in your rent and your rent is not subsidized, the program could pay for a portion of your rent.

How do you apply for fuel assistance?

Our Fuel Assistance Program page contains a lot of helpful information about the ways you can apply for help.

We strongly recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible by calling 603-435-2500 option 2 or by clicking here to use our online appointment scheduler.

Have you started your application but haven’t turned in all your paperwork?

In addition to being the application deadline, May 1 is also the deadline to provide all required documents for your application. We can’t approve your application unless you provide your paperwork before the deadline.

Please refer to the letter you received about the documents we need for your application. To find the most commonly needed items or to get more information about how to provide your documents, click here or call 603-435-2500 and select option 2 to speak with our intake specialists.

Upcoming Events

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Electric Assistance Program (EAP)

The New Hampshire Electric Assistance Program (EAP) gives eligible customers a discount on their monthly electric bills—anywhere from 8% to 76% depending on your gross household income and household size. This discount can make your electric bills more affordable, help waive late fees and deposits, and prevent service disconnects. Benefits and participation are subject to availability of funds.
Applications are accepted year-round for the Electric Assistance Program.

Learn more here.

Fuel Assistance Program (FAP)

The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP), also known as the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP), provides qualified households with assistance in paying their heating bills during the winter heating season. Your benefits are calculated based on number of household members, household income, energy costs and housing type among other things. This allows those households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs to receive the highest benefits.

The Fuel Assistance Program runs from November 1 – April 30, and applications are accepted starting July 1.

Learn more here.